Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera : Termitidae : Nasutitermitinae) maintain foraging trails for a longer period by means of fecal droplets

Termite pheromones have been studied since the 1960s and to date an alcohol (dodecatrienol) and a diterpenoid hydrocarbon (cembrene-A) have been isola ted. Constrictotermes cyphergaster leave fecal droplets trails which are us ed day after day, suggesting that not only the pheromone produced by the st ernal glands but chemicals found in feces are also used to maintain establi shed trails. In four experiments we show that pheromone persists less than one hour, but feces are used to maintain trail for a longer period, up to t hree months.